'
The year expired, and, to the great regret of the sultan, Prince
Camaralzaman gave not the least proof of having changed his mind.
One day, therefore, when there was a great council held, the prime
vizier, the other viziers, the principal officers of the crown, and
the generals of the army being present, the sultan began to speak
thus to the prince: 'My son, it is now a long while since I have
expressed to you my earnest desire to see you married; and I
imagined you would have had more consideration for a father, who
required nothing unreasonable of you, than to oppose him so long.
But after so long a resistance on your part, which has almost worn
out my patience, I have thought fit to propose the same thing once
more to you in the presence of my council. I would have you
consider that you ought not to have refused this, not merely to
oblige a parent; the well-being of my dominions requires it; and
the assembly here present joins with me to require it of you.
Declare yourself, then; that, according to your answer, I may take
the proper measures.'
The prince answered with so little reserve, or rather with so much
warmth, that the sultan, enraged to see himself thwarted in full
council, cried out, 'Unnatural son! have you the insolence to talk
thus to your father and sultan?' He ordered the guards to take him
away, and carry him to an old tower that had been unoccupied for a
long while, where he was shut up, with only a bed, a little
furniture, some books, and one slave to attend him.
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